Daily Skincare Routine

Hey y’all. So this post is gonna be kinda quick and dirty, pun intended. I’ve gotten a few requests now for a daily skincare routine and I am so glad to be able to sit down and write this out. I love sharing with you some of my favorite products especially when it comes to skincare because I have had such a struggle over the years sort of navigating and figuring out what works best with my skin. Keeping that in mind, everyone’s skin is different and this routine is what works best for me, though it may not necessarily be what works best for you. And of course if you have any concerns about the health of your skin, you may consider consulting a medical professional or dermatologist.

Now, I want to preface this by saying that have been fairly fortunate in that I’ve had pretty clear skin throughout my life. Obviously I’ve had my fair share of breakouts but nothing seemingly chronic or requiring medical intervention. However, I do have very sensitive skin that is combination dry/oily. I tend to be dry which causes my skin to overproduce natural oils which in turn can lead to breakouts. It took me years to understand that moisturizer was not the devil and that harsh cleansers and spot treatments can do more damage than the good they’ve promised.

What does all of this mean? It means I got it wrong. A LOT. Until I got it right. I tried the store brands and the name brands and the organics and the medicated what-nots and things. They made me break out in hives and rashes and dry patches. The more I used them, the worse my skin reacted. Puberty played its part amidst the epidermal battle I found myself stubbornly locked in. But at the end of the day what saved me was getting back to basics. A three step system that is bullet proof (so far) for this lazy girl and her skin.

Step 1. The cleanser. I wear makeup (*GASP*SHOCK*WHAT?!). I need a product that is strong enough to not only remove my makeup but really get that deep clean without hurting my skin or making it raw. The one I’ve settle on that has given me the most consistent results for the value is the generic brand of apricot scrub you can find at your local store in the face wash section. Mine looks like this:

It’s fairly priced, sturdy enough to get my makeup off, and gentle enough that I can use it twice a day (morning and night) without hurting my skin.

Step 2. The Toner. This is probably the most controversial step in this system. Not everyone uses toner and that’s fine. Again, what works for one person may not work for another. But for my skin, I feel that I get the best clean by going over my skin with this light, witch hazel and cucumber toner to remove any last little bits of grime and reduce any swelling or inflammation. It soothes my skin and helps prep it for the moisturizer. Unlike many astringents, this toner is alcohol free so it’s not harsh or harmful as many of them tend to be. I get mine at my local Target but this can be found easily online or in your local store. There are other scents as well. I tend to stick with either the rose or cucumber depending on what’s available and what I’m into at the time.

Step 3. The Moisturizer. This is probably the piece of the puzzle that took me the longest. It is incredibly difficult to find a moisturizer out there that provides the sort of deep, lasting moisture that my skin needs without sitting like a greasy, unpleasant top coat on my skin. I have hated moisturizers for the longest time because of this feeling. I got close to loving one once from Clinique but they sadly discontinued it many years ago. After finding this moisturizer, though, I’m no longer pining over past hydration. I began using Vitamin E oil. Yep. You read that correctly. I use OIL. Crazy, right? But when everyone was all about coconut oil (let’s be real, we’re still all about it, am I right?), I grabbed a small bottle of Vitamin E oil to keep on hand because it was easier than coconut oil and it’s supposed to be great for scars and other skin damage. I started out just using a little bit on dry spots and then I slowly worked my way up to using a small amount all over my face. I. Am. In. LOVE. I use this primarily as part of my nighttime routine (because during the day I use a light sunscreen or moisturizing foundation with sunscreen) unless I’m going to go barefaced for the day. I use a very, very small amount. Maybe between a pea-sized and a dime-sized amount. I just very gently pat it onto my face with my hands, paying more attention to dry and delicate spots. And a small bottle like this lasts forEVER. I’ve been working on this for the better part of a year and I’m only now about halfway through it.

It really is that simple. Or it can be. It took me a lot of trial and error to find a system that works for my skin. And it may not always be this system or these products but the important thing is paying attention to what your body and your skin are trying to tell you. Obviously there are other factors at play when it comes to your skin and your overall health and I won’t pretend to know or understand any of them well enough to preach to another person. But as a twenty-eight year old woman in a year ’round humid climate, this is where I’m at. So I hope some of you found this helpful. I’m happy to answer any questions you my have and I’d love to hear some of the things that have worked or not worked for you on your skin journey. Leave your love in the comments below or send me a message. I love reading your thoughts! Be sure to follow along on Instagram @milestogoxo for daily updates on the goings-on of this blogger babe. Until next time, Miles Tribe. Wishing you all good things. Always.